Energy

When the Dry Fork Station coal-fired power plant was built in 2011, it was designed for expansion. On Monday, the Wyoming Energy Authority and Basin Electric announced it was moving forward with a plan to add a second coal-fired generation station.

Wyoming, Basin Electric Take Step Toward First New Coal Plant In Over A Decade

Wyoming and Basin Electric took a step Monday toward building the first new coal-fired power plant in more than a decade. Adding a second unit to the Dry Fork Station plant near Gillette “is clear proof coal is not dead,” said Gov. Mark Gordon.

David MadisonOctober 27, 2025

56-Year-Old Man Dead In Gas Well Explosion Near Jeffrey City

A 56-year-old man died Wednesday in a gas well explosion in Fremont County near Jeffrey City. The incident is being investigated to determine what caused the blast.

Jackson WalkerOctober 23, 2025

The 11-turbine Casper Wind Farm is on its way out. Chevron has sent Natrona County commissioners its decommissioning plan which calls for the physical removal of the turbines next year.

After Two Years Sitting Idle Outside Casper, Wind Farm To Come Down

After sitting idle outside Casper for nearly two years, an 11-turbine Chevron wind farm outside Casper is scheduled to be dismantled starting next year.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 23, 2025

Is It Unusually Warm? Nope, Wyoming Finally Gets A Totally Average October

Wyoming's been enjoying a mild autumn with warm temperatures and a lack of snow and cold blasts. That may seem unusual, but it's average, something October hasn't been for several years in Wyomng.

Andrew RossiOctober 23, 2025

Gravel Developer Sues State Board Again Over Denial Of Casper Mountain Leases

A Casper gravel mining developer has filed a second lawsuit in Natrona County District Court against the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners. Prism Logistics was denied the renewal of two Casper Mountain leases by the board earlier this month.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 16, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon addresses the Big Sky Bright Future Economic Summit in Bozeman on Thursday.

Gordon Slams 'Ridiculous' Energy Permitting, Says Time To Innovate, Not Regulate

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon slammed "ridiculous" federal energy permitting delays Thursday at a Montana governors summit. He also praised state-backed stable coin and said it's time to innovate, not regulate, energy.

David MadisonOctober 16, 2025

After Radiant Nuclear dumped Wyoming for Tennessee on Monday, questions surround the future of the state’s nuclear industry. Legislators and elected officials are pointing fingers of blame and speculation over the decision. Gov. Mark Gordon and state Sen. Ed Cooper, right, decry losing Radiant, calling legislators opposed to the project "Club No." Two of those are state Reps. Rachel Rodriguez-Willaims and Bill Allemand, left.

Legislators Pointing Fingers Over Radiant Nuclear Killing Wyoming Project

After Radiant Nuclear dumped Wyoming for Tennessee, state lawmakers are left pointing fingers at each other. Some legislators say the state made a catastrophic mistake in not embracing the industry.

David MadisonOctober 14, 2025

Wyoming's rapidly growing data center sector has sparked concerns about rising power bills.

Wyoming’s Data Center Boom Sparks Fears Of Soaring Electric Rates

Wyoming’s growing sector of artificial intelligence and data centers have collectively announced 12.8 gigawatts worth of processing power so far. That has sparked concerns about rising power bills, but not everyone is worried.

Renée JeanOctober 14, 2025

After months of debate and amid regulatory uncertainty in Wyoming, Radiant Nuclear announced Monday that it’s ditching its controversial plan to build nuclear microreactors and store spent fuel in Natrona County.

Radiant Nuclear Picks Tennessee Over Wyoming To Build Nuclear Microreactor Facility

Radiant Nuclear announced Monday afternoon that it will build its first nuclear microreactor manufacturing facility in Tennessee, abandoning plans for the controversial project near Bar Nunn, after months of heated debate over spent nuclear fuel storage.

David MadisonOctober 13, 2025

Feds Halt Wyoming Coal Lease Auction After Montana Sale Disappoints

A disappointing coal lease sale in Montana forced the Trump administration to halt similar plans in Wyoming. The head of Wyoming's mining association said the setback is a minor one for Wyoming, given the future of coal energy in the state. "The market right now is strong," he said.

Jackson WalkerOctober 10, 2025

Wyoming Tech Startup Aims To Finally Clean Up Cold War Uranium's Deadly Legacy

A Casper company just received the first license of its kind to remediate radioactive uranium mine waste — a "watershed moment" for communities -- like Jeffrey City, Wyoming -- living with contamination since the 1950s.

David MadisonOctober 10, 2025

Wyoming Bigger Player In Nuclear Energy World With Acquisition In Powder River Basin

Snow Lake Resources, a uranium exploration and development company, now owns all of the Powder River Basin's Pine Ridge uranium project, after an acquisition of another company, making Wyoming a bigger player in the nuclear energy game.

David MadisonOctober 08, 2025

Green Energy Advocates Debate Whether Trump’s Cuts to Blue States Impact Wyoming

The Trump administration last week terminated roughly $8 billion worth of renewable energy projects in blue states. Supporters of wind and solar energy initiatives are split on whether the cancellations will impact Wyoming.

Jackson WalkerOctober 07, 2025

365M Tons Of Coal Up In First Major Powder River Basin Lease Sale In A Decade

The Bureau of Land Management's first major Powder River Basin coal lease sale in a decade will give access of up to 365 million tons of coal in northeast Wyoming. Industry officials say it's past time, while environmental advocates say they’re worried.

Jackson WalkerOctober 02, 2025

More than 300 people filed into the Cam-plex Heritage Center Theater on Tuesday night for a presentation from BWXT about its proposed nuclear fuel manufacturing facility in Gillette.

BWXT Pitches Nuclear Fuel Plant In Gillette As Locals Wrestle With Mixed Emotions

BWXT officials promise a $500 million nuclear fuel plant will bring more than 200 jobs to Gillette without creating or storing nuclear waste there. But residents told the company Tuesday they're wrestling with the idea of a nuclear future.

David MadisonOctober 01, 2025

Tuesday morning's STEVE as seen from the Goldeneye Reservoir near Casper. STEVEs are different from auroras, but they are only known to occur during auroras, making them rare to see and photograph.

Aurora Joined By Rare, Super-Hot Band Of Colorful Plasma Across Wyoming Sky

A rare phenomenon called STEVE was seen across Wyoming's dark skies around midnight Tuesday. It's a super-hot streak of plasma that manifests during intense auroras, and several Wyoming photographers got good shots of it.

Andrew RossiSeptember 30, 2025

Exporting Wyoming coal to Asian markets could help the state make up for lost revenues with federal royalty rates dropping from 12.5% to 7%, Gov. Mark Gordon said Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. He also said AI and data centers present huge potential for the state.

Gordon: Coal Exports, Production Boost Could Make Up For Lower Revenues

Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday said exporting Wyoming coal to Asian markets could help the state make up for lost revenues with federal royalty rates dropping from 12.5% to 7%. He also said AI and data centers present huge potential for the state.

David MadisonSeptember 30, 2025

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon with U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and Interrior Secretary Doug Bergum during Monday's announcement of the Trump administration's $625 million investment in coal-fired power plants and production.

Wyoming Cheers As Trump Injects $625M Into U.S. Coal, Opens 13M Acres For Leasing

Wyoming’s coal industry is cheering Monday’s announcement that President Trump’s Department of Energy is injecting $625 million into coal-fired plants and mining. Department of Interior is also opening 13.1 million acres of federal land for coal leases.

Renée JeanSeptember 29, 2025

There's no denying that James Sanderson found articulated bones in a layer of prehistoric soil more 50 million years old. However, a closer look reveals that these mysterious foot bones were in a time period where they don't belong.

Star Valley Man Finds Mysterious Foot Bones In Prehistoric Soil Near Kemmerer

There's no denying that James Sanderson found connected bones in a layer of prehistoric soil more 50 million years old. However, a closer look reveals that these mysterious foot bones were in a time period where they don't belong.

Andrew RossiSeptember 28, 2025

Bodies from the Frontier No. 1 explosion in August 1923 are laid out in a temporary morgue.

Wyoming History: Kemmerer 1920s Mine Explosions Killed 138 In 13 Months

Two of the most devastating and deadly coal mine disasters in Wyoming history hit Kemmerer mines over a 13-month period from 1923-24. In all, 138 miners were killed, leaving 97 widows and 133 children fatherless.

Dale KillingbeckSeptember 27, 2025

Montana’s tireless “Coal King,” the late Duane Ankney, beat a path between Colstrip and Helena, Montana, and then Washington D.C., advocating for the industry where he made his career.

Legacy Of Montana's Coal King Lives On As Industry Gains New Political Momentum

Since Duane Ankney died in August, tributes have poured in celebrating Montana's "Coal King" for his legislative efforts and tireless advocacy. The greatest tribute might be the significant political momentum the coal industry is now feeling.

David MadisonSeptember 27, 2025

Residents in and around Chugwater say a proposed 47,000-acre wind and solar farm threatens their independent way of life. Their views clash with landowners involved in the project who say it’s their property.

Some Chugwater Locals Say Wind, Solar Project Threatens Independent Way Of Life

Some residents in and around Chugwater say a proposed 47,000-acre wind and solar farm threatens their independent way of life. Their views clash with landowners involved in the project who say it’s their property.

Jackson WalkerSeptember 27, 2025

Nuclear fuel manufacturing company BWXT told Cowboy State Daily it required nondisclosure agreements with Gillette city officials to protect commercially sensitive information about the size and scope of its proposed fuel fabrication facility.

BWXT Explains Secrecy Around Plans For Gillette Nuclear Fuel Plant

Reacting to criticism over requiring nondisclosure agreements with Gillette officials, nuclear fuel manufacturing company BWXT said they were needed to protect sensitive information about the size and scope of the proposed facility.

David MadisonSeptember 24, 2025

Joe Stopper, a former senior energy advisor to the Trump White House and Interior Department, has joined the executive team for Ramaco Resources. He says the company, its Brook Mine and Wyoming figure to be major players in building up the U.S. rare earth industry.

Former Trump White House Energy Official Joins Wyoming Rare Earth Company

A former senior energy advisor to the Trump White House and Interior Department has joined the executive team for Ramaco Resources. He says the company and Wyoming figure to be major players in building up the U.S. rare earth industry.

David MadisonSeptember 23, 2025

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